A Material Prediction Approach for Improving Indoor Air Quality

J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL

VOLUME 127, NUMBER 2

Abstracts AB21

SATURDAY

Real-Time Airborne Fel d 1 Concentration in an EnvironmentalExposure Chamber (EEC).

D. Wilson, N. Camuso, A. Salapatek; Cetero Research, Mississauga, ON,

CANADA.

RATIONALE: Currently, the only method for a quantitative measure of

airborne allergen level in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC) is

by ELISA. However, it is not a real-time measure. This study examines

whether the grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour in the EEC correlate

with airborne Fel d 1 concentration measured by ELISA. If so, mass of cat

dander aerosolized could be used as a real-time estimate of airborne Fel d

1 allergen in the EEC.

METHODS:After aerosolizing rawcat dander, airborne Fel d 1 concentra-

tion was measured in air samples using ELISA. The correlation between

Fel d 1 allergen concentration and grams of cat dander aerosolized per

hour was assessed by Spearman Correlation analyses. These analyses

were performed on data collected from greater than 80 daily EEC sessions,

totaling more than 400 EEC hours.

RESULTS: Average airborne Fel d 1 concentration for all sessions was

50.2 6 2.25 (SE) ng/m3. Fel d 1 concentration was highly correlated

with grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour with a correlation coefficient

of 0.78.

CONCLUSIONS: Airborne Fel d 1 concentration is highly correlated

with the mass of cat dander aerosolized per hour. The rate (grams per

hour) of cat dander aerosolized can be used as a real-time estimate for

predicting the Fel d 1 levels in the EEC and to ensure controlled and

safe exposure for cat allergic patients.

67 Validation Of A Model of Juniperus asheii (Mountain Cedar)Pollen Allergy In The Biogenics Research Chamber

R. L. Jacobs, D. A. Ramirez, C. P. Andrews; Biogenics Research Cham-

ber, San Antonio, TX.

RATIONALE: To develop a controlled model of allergy to Juniperus

asheii pollen, an antigen not previously utilized in chamber studies.

METHODS:Our chambers are constructedwith clean roommaterials and

provide single-pass chilled outside air with powered diffusers and exhausts

to maintain laminar flow with equalization of pollen delivery. Temperature

and humidity aremaintained at capacity. The chambers are 10846 and 6655

ft3 and seat 50 and 25 subjects, respectively. Over a 5 hours, thirty-eight

Juniperus asheii sensitized subjects and 11 negative controls were exposed

to a sham run and increasing concentrations of pollen. Symptoms and pol-

len counts were recorded at 30 minute intervals.

RESULTS: After the sham run, pollen counts ranged from 1300 to11,500

counts/m3. Counts taken at five stations at 30 minute intervals were consis-

tent. No subjects responded during the sham run. Sensitized subjects re-

sponded in increasing numbers and with progressive symptoms with

increasing pollen levels. Two non-sensitized controls experienced low-

level symptoms at high pollen counts. There were no severe adverse

effects.

CONCLUSIONS: This was the first utilization of Juniperus asheii as anantigen in an environmental chamber. With this pollen, the chamber func-

tioned within anticipated parameters. Subjects did not respond to a sham

run. Allergic subjects required higher levels of pollen exposure than aver-

age natural exposure. Some non-sensitive subjects experienced minimal

symptoms at higher pollen levels.

68 A Material Prediction Approach for Improving Indoor Air QualityM. L. Spartz, R. S. Fike, A. E. Delia; Prism Analytical Technol-

ogies, Inc., Mt. Pleasant, MI.

RATIONALE: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are known to in-

crease acute asthmatic events. The prediction of their source will provide

a process for improving home air quality.

METHODS: Diagnostic tests to determine home VOCs levels have been

nonexistent or expensive and difficult to deploy. Technological advances

now allow for low cost VOC monitoring, VOC source prediction and hid-

den mold detection (MVOCs) in a homewith a single test. This thermal de-

sorption tube gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology followed

by a multivariate prediction has the ability to determine VOC levels and

then provide the information necessary to reduce these levels and poten-

tially reduce chemically induced asthmatic episodes.

RESULTS: The median Total VOC (TVOC) level in homes tested with

this new air testing technology is 1,200 ng/L. The U.S. Green Building

Council (USGBC) recommends that homes are below 500 ng/L. Only

17.5% of homes tested with this technology have been below this level,

with some well above 10,000 ng/L. While at home, one asthmatic client

was having daily asthma exacerbations. His home TVOC level was deter-

mined to be 1,800 ng/L, not an extreme level. The report predicted theVOC

source correctly (kerosene), the source was removed and the TVOC level

on subsequent testing was reduced to 800 ng/L. His acute asthma episodes

decreased from daily to weekly.

CONCLUSION: Low cost home air testing technologies that can predict

chemical sources could assist physicians and patients in developing a sim-

ple plan to improve their air quality and potentially improve their quality of

life.

69 Persistency of Pollens entered Into HomesD. A. Charpin1, M. Calleja2, C. Pichot3; 1Assistance publique-

Hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, FRANCE, 2Supagro, I.N.R.A., Mont-

pellier, FRANCE, 3I.N.R.A., Avignon, FRANCE.

RATIONALE: The occurrence of pollen inside homes has already been

described. However, the kinetic of pollen penetration and persistency

over time is poorly documented.

METHODS:Dust samplingwas performed in 5 homes located in the same

neighborhood. Sampling was done on 4 occasions over a 6-month time pe-

riod. Fine dust was collected using a vacuum-cleaner. Pollens were identi-

fied under light microscopy and results expressed as number of pollen

grains per mg of dust collected. Results were compared to those obtained

using a gravimetric pollen trap.

RESULTS: Pollen counts collected by the outdoor trap and those counted

on house-dust samples had a very similar kinetic but pollen species could

be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pollen season.

CONCLUSIONS: Various pollen species can be identified on house-dust

samples. Their kinetic is parallel to the one of outdoor pollens. However,

indoor pollens can be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pol-

len season and are likely to induce sustained symptoms in sensitized

patients.